The way the media treats celebrities has been a big topic of conversation in the last decade. There are a lot of different arguments as to where the line between celebrity and privacy is drawn.
On one hand, living your life in the public eye inherently requires the forfeiting of some degree of privacy. That said, some celebrities seem a lot more successful at keeping their private lives private than others. It's no surprise that we've learned over time that people on the inside of teams of some celebrities, like Britney Spears, use the press's thirst for content to manipulate these people.
More and more, there are real-life consequences for the decisions the press makes beyond the celebrities themselves. Some celebrity families have seen heartbreaking news about loved ones in headlines before they've had the chance to hear it from the source. Here are some examples of times when the press went way too far in efforts to break big celebrity stories.
Paparazzi took photos of Princess Diana while she was gravely injured.
Princess Diana's death sent shock waves around the world, but it also started a major conversation about media and the personal lives of public figures. The reckless driving of both Diana's chauffeur and the paparazzi chasing them were behind Diana's death.
There were even photos of her taken after the crash that were made public for a time before that was shut down. It was one of the first times the world considered that not every element of a public figure's life needed to be pursued to the detriment of everyone involved.
Overeager photographers crashed Reese Witherspoon's daughter's birthday party.
A paparazzo was charged with child endangerment and battery after intruding on Reese Witherspoon's daughter's birthday at Disney's California Adventure Park in 2005. A 5-year-old was hit with a camera and another was shoved. A parent and two park security guards were battered.
Photos of a topless Jennifer Aniston at home were circulated.
Jennifer Aniston sued a photographer who used long-lens technology to catch pictures of her sunbathing topless in her own backyard. The photographer claimed he was only trying to get pictures of her with actor Vince Vaughn, whom she was allegedly dating at the time. He also argued that she was putting herself on display by being partially naked out in the open, but a judge disagreed.
Nicole Kidman was knocked off a bike by a photographer.
Nicole Kidman was trying to get back to her hotel room in New York City when a photographer on a bicycle knocked her off her own bicycle. While she had no serious injuries, she was shaken by the event.
Media manipulation has played a role in Britney Spears' conservatorship drama.
Part of what was difficult for Britney Spears to deal with after becoming a mom was the relentless nature of the paparazzi. Her interactions with the press were really troubling, especially in the months leading to Britney's conservatorship being established. Some have argued Britney's sanity wouldn't have ever been questioned if the paparazzi employed higher standards.
Photos of Rihanna's abuse were leaked by online media.
Photos went public of Rihanna's injuries following an assault by then-boyfriend Chris Brown during Grammy weekend 2009. The photos were leaked to online outlets, which made the jarring images go viral. Rihanna refused to comment on the photos but told fans she remained strong.
News of Michael Jackson's death and the gritty details came out in real time.
The news of Michael Jackson's death was incredibly shocking. For a time, it went unconfirmed. TMZ was the first to report the death of the King of Pop, with other outlets not confirming until roughly an hour later. Later, photos would be leaked of Michael's home at the time of his death, giving shocking insights into his final days.
It was traumatizing to Michael's loved ones — and not the end of the press battle for the family. Years later, Michael's daughter, Paris, would battle false reports of a suicide attempt by the same outlet.
Note: If you or any of your loved ones are struggling with suicidal thoughts, you can always reach out to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline by calling 1-800-273-8255. They are available 24/7 by phone or online chat.
Paparazzi chased Tom and Suri Cruise through New York City at dangerous speeds.
Paparazzi chased Tom Cruise on his first outing with daughter Suri after announcing his divorce from Katie Holmes in the summer of 2012. It turned into a full 20-minute-long car chase that included running many red lights in congested New York City streets.
A false photograph of Whitney Houston's body being hauled away was shared.
The press believed they were releasing a photograph of Whitney Houston's body being removed from the Beverly Hills Hotel on a gurney. However, Whitney's remains were removed in a body bag. Under the sheet on that gurney was Bobbi Kristina Houston, who was being hospitalized for severe panic attacks following the death of her mother.
Paparazzi threatened to make a pregnant Kim Kardashian's life 'dangerous.'
While she was pregnant with her first child, a paparazzi seeking pictures of Kim Kardashian threatened to "make [her] life dangerous." Kim spoke out on the experience in a Twitter rant.
"I wouldn’t let the paps get a pic of me today & they threatened my life & said if I continue to block shots that they will make my world dangerous to live in!" she wrote.
"How dare they threaten my life and unborn child? This has gotten way out of control. Let me enjoy this last month of pregnancy please without threats and being scared to leave my home. What will it take for there to be laws put in place to prevent this behavior?"
Cardi B and Offset's marriage news was made public without their consent.
TMZ randomly dug up news that rappers Cardi B and Offset had secretly married after hearing Offset refer to Cardi as his wife. She wasn't pleased their news was confirmed without their consent.
"There are so many moments that I share with the world and then there are moments that I want to keep for myself! Getting married was one of those moments," she shared.
News of Kylie Jenner's secret pregnancy was broken halfway through.
Kylie Jenner was fearful of paparazzi pressure and decided to keep her pregnancy under wraps. This made the fight to break news of her pregnancy all the more fervorous. Speculation was revealed about halfway through the pregnancy, though Kylie didn't confirm the news until after Stormi Webster was born.
The press played a big role in the breakdown of Meghan and Thomas Markle's relationship.
The press's interference in Meghan Markle and dad Thomas Markle's strained relationship put some of the final nails in that coffin. Had Thomas not agreed to get paid for paparazzi pictures, he may have made it to walk his daughter down the aisle in May 2018. Instead, it became their biggest feud to the day and the beginning of the end of their relationship.
Vanessa Bryant learned of Kobe's helicopter crash from social media.
There were petitions calling for the cancellation of TMZ when it was revealed Vanessa Bryant and other members of Kobe and Gianna's family learned about the crash from the outlet's reporting. In an effort to get the story out first, TMZ didn't wait until the family had been notified, making an already traumatizing experience that much harder for all parties involved.
